Monthly Archives: October 2010

Washington, DC (October 27, 2010) – Recognizing the innovative ideas of today’s college and university students, the Collegiate Inventors Competition, a program of Invent Now, today announced that a way to implant human liver cells in mice to facilitate drug testing and a way to manufacture composite structural poles have won top honors in this year’s competition. Alice Chen of the Harvard/MIT Health Sciences and Technology Program received the $15,000 graduate first prize for her work with tissue-engineered liver mimetics in mice, and Mark Jensen of Brigham Young University, received the $10,000 undergraduate first prize for his manufacturing methods for composite lattice pole structures. The Competition, sponsored by the Abbott Fund, the non-profit foundation of the global health care company Abbott, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), announced the winners this morning at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Graduate students Erez Lieberman-Aiden and Nynke van Berkum, of Harvard/MIT and the University of Massachusetts Medical School received second prize for their work, and Bozhi Tian and Tzahi Cohen-Karni of Harvard received third prize. Undergraduate students Devon Anderson, Jonathan Guerrette, and Nathan Niparko of Dartmouth were the second prize winners in their category, and Leyla Isik, Salina Khushal, Michael Shen, and Emilie Yeh of Johns Hopkins University received third prize. Lieberman-Aiden and van Berkum were recognized for their method for genome sequencing in three dimensions and received $10,000, and Tian and Cohen-Karni were recognized for their three-dimensional, flexible nanoscale field effect transistors used as intracellular probes and received $5,000. In the undergraduate category, the Dartmouth team received $5,000 for their creation of an absorbent, bioresorbable surgical sponge and the Johns Hopkins team received $2,500 for an intelligent drill meant fo r improved orthopedic surgery.

Dr. Don Keck, a Competition judge and an inductee in the National Inventors Hall of Fame for optical fiber, said, “We are very impressed with the quality of work and ingenuity shown—all of these students are winners. More importantly, all of humanity benefits from the breakthrough work in which these students are engaged. We hope this will encourage more college students to celebrate invention as part of their science and technology endeavors. Further, the Competition is a wonderful example of government agencies, non-profit, and industry coming together to encourage and inspire future generations of innovators.”

Experts from industry, government, and academic research initially judged student entries on the originality of the idea and the potential value and usefulness to society. On October 26th, five undergraduate finalists presented their inventions to a panel of judges, and five graduate finalists also made presentations to a judging panel. Both panels were comprised of inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame and representatives from the USPTO, Abbott, the NIH and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“The Collegiate Inventors Competition provides an important opportunity to honor today’s most promising young inventors and scientists, and to highlight the importance of innovation in our daily lives,” said Dale Kempf, Distinguished Research Fellow, Global Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abbott. “At Abbott, our business is focused on scientific discovery. Supporting the Competition is part of our broader effort to help inspire today’s science and engineering students—who may go on to help us discover tomorrow’s breakthrough medicines and medical devices.”

“It is a great privilege for me to join in honoring this year’s winners of the Collegiate Inventors Competition,” David Kappos Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property commented. “They are not only bright innovators but embody the spirit of entrepreneurship, which has always fueled our economy and created jobs. At this critical time for our nation, this year’s winners strengthen our belief that America’s best days lie ahead.”

Graduate winner Alice Chen knew that although mice are widely used in medical research, they are often not helpful for pharmaceutical testing. The liver is where many drugs are broken down, or metabolized, and mouse livers and human livers metabolize substances differently. Chen has developed a way to implant human liver cells in mice. Her approach is different from other techniques in that she implants a matrix that contains functioning human liver cells and the nutrients they need directly into a healthy mouse. The matrix, once implanted, performs functions much like a human liver, making it beneficial for drug testing and other therapeutic applications. Chen, 29, is currently a doctoral candidate in Harvard-MIT’s joint program in Health Sciences and Technology.

Second place graduate winners Erez Lieberman-Aiden and Nynke van Berkum call their invention Hi-C, showcasing how DNA is folded into the nucleus of a cell in an efficient and functional way. Until this invention, researchers have been unclear on how a genome folds six-feet of itself into a tiny nucleus. The pair’s three dimensional genome sequencing allows them to focus on questions about genome folding and how the folds change. They speculate that aberrations in genome folding could relate to human disease, which would provide the potential to help prevent or treat devastating diseases such as cancer. Third place winners Bozhi Tian and Tzahi Cohen-Karni have developed a tiny electronic cell probe that is capable of observing and monitoring the inner electrical workings of living cells. This team’s method allows them to use a V-shaped silicon nanowire as a field-effect transistor, which can be inserted into cells such as cardiomyocytes and neurons to monitor signals w ithin. Their work has the potential to greatly enhance basic medical science investigations.

When undergraduate winner Mark Jensen was young, his father invented IsoTruss struts, poles made of specially braided cords hardened with resin that were lightweight but structurally, very strong. The IsoTruss never received widespread use, however, because of the difficulty in manufacturing the complex braiding patterns necessary to build it. Jensen thought about the challenges that his father faced and invented a new machine to produce structures like the IsoTruss. The machine is programmable, fault-tolerant, and capable of intricate braiding patterns, far beyond the capabilities seen in other industrial machines. A 2010 graduate in chemical engineering from Brigham Young University, Jensen, 23, lives in Provo where he is the CEO of Altus Poles, the company he founded to manufacture composite poles and where he works on developing his machinery.

The second place Dartmouth team of Devon Anderson, Jonathan Guerrette, and Nathan Niparko tackled the problem of surgical sponges that are used during surgery, but are forgotten and left in the patient’s body, leading to infections and other complications. They designed a new kind of absorbent sponge using a novel combination of materials, including cellulose and alginate, and a novel fabrication method involving electrospinning. If accidentally left in a patient’s body, the sponge can break down into harmless substances that can be absorbed by the body. The team is continuing their research to further develop their sponge. The third place Johns Hopkins team of Leyla Isik, Salina Khushal, Michael Shen, and Emilie Yeh invented a device that can be attached to orthopedic surgical drills to detect sudden changes in drilling speed and also changes in tilt and direction of the drill. Surgeons would no longer need to rely on practice, skill, and intuition when working with a drill. Their device involves using an accelerometer on a standard surgical drill, and they hope that their drill guidance device will soon be used to train and guide orthopedic surgeons everywhere.

About the Collegiate Inventors Competition
The Collegiate Inventors Competition promotes innovation by recognizing inventors and scientists early in their careers, and rewarding students’ often pioneering ideas as they address the problems of today’s world. Past finalists and winners have gone on to start their own companies based on their inventions, win prestigious fellowships and grants and receive national attention for their work. Introduced in 1990, the Competition has awarded more than $1 million to winning students for their innovative achievements through the help of its sponsors. For more information on the Competition and past winners, visit www.invent.org/collegiate. For more information about Abbott and the Abbott Fund, visit www.abbott.com and www.abbottfund.org, and for more information about the USPTO, visit www.uspto.gov.

WASHINGTON, October 26, 2010 – This week, Campaign Money Watch, a project of the nonpartisan Public Campaign Action Fund, began an aggressive campaign to get voters—especially those aged 20 to 40, with a focus on African-American voters in that age group—to the polls for midterm elections across the country on Nov. 2.

The core premise of this new campaign—called “They Win. U Lose.”—is to break through the corporate-funded advertising noise to urge voters to get out to vote and not let special-interest money choose the next U.S. Congress. Following Campaign Money Watch’s mission to hold politicians accountable for their opposition to campaign finance reform and help average Americans take greater control over the political and policymaking process, “They Win. U Lose.” emphasizes transparency, accountability and empowerment in political races.

Among the campaign’s many facets, celebrities from a wide range of backgrounds are supporting campaign efforts. Grammy Award–winning musician and former Haitian presidential candidate Wyclef Jean is debuting his new song “Election Time” on the “They Win. U Lose.” website, where it can be streamed. See the site for frequent updates and a “who is who” of celeb supporters.

The $750,000 paid- and earned-media campaign is specifically encouraging voter participation in six key states: Colorado, Illinois, Missouri, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

“Americans believe that big-business dollars have too much influence on our elections, but we also must remember that a vote is a powerful weapon in combating the power of this special-interest money,” said David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch. “Traditionally, midterm elections suffer from low participation, but this year voters need to understand that apathy and complacency are not an option, because more than seats are at stake—the change that the country committed to in 2008, and President Obama’s presidency, is in jeopardy. Whether you’re a Democrat, Republican or Independent, choosing not to vote means letting the corporate interests win. And in this election, there are very clear choices between candidates who will fight for change and those who will hand Congress over to the special interests.”

Because young people have integrated digital and social media into their lives—and use social media increasingly as an agent of social and political change, according to a new global survey from Euro RSCG Worldwide—the campaign is placing a special emphasis on those media.

On the campaign’s website (www.theywinulose.com), a Twitter feed (@theywinulose) helps find younger voters where they live and drive attention to the campaign, and a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TheyWinULose) designed as a pledge-to-vote campaign is ensuring that voters follow through on the commitment they’ll make there, publicly, to get to the polls.

In addition, a video comparing quotes from President Obama with candidates’ positions—to highlight the importance of voting in the election— is running on Facebook, YouTube and the “They Win. U Lose.” website, among other outlets.

In the 48 hours before the election, “They Win. U Lose.” will push into overdrive, with a celebrity satellite media tour and a Tweetathon—48 hours of continuous tweeting designed to get people who are tweeting to meet in real life, to significantly raise awareness and visibility for the need to get out and vote.

About Campaign Money Watch
Campaign Money Watch is a project of the nonpartisan Public Campaign Action Fund. The organization works to hold politicians who are against comprehensive campaign finance reform accountable for where they get their political donations. Contact info@pcactionfund.org with any questions or go to www.campaignmoneywatch.com for more information.

About Euro RSCG Worldwide PR
Euro RSCG Worldwide PR is the public relations arm of Euro RSCG Worldwide, a leading integrated marketing communications agency with 233 offices in 75 countries. Euro RSCG Worldwide PR, North America, is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Chicago and Pittsburgh. It is part of Adweek’s first-ever Healthcare Agency of the Year (2010) and Medical Marketing & Media’s 2010 All-Star Network of the Year. The agency provides communications services, social brand momentum and thought leadership, among other services, in core areas ranging from CSR and health care to content creation and social media.

A COMING OF AGE STORY ON CHASING THE DREAM IN THE “REAL WORLD,” NICE GUY JOHNNY SPEAKS TO COLLEGE STUDENTS ABOUT TO FACE BIG CHOICES

Burns Pioneers Marks Future of Indy Films With New Form Of Digital Distribution

NEW YORK – Writer/directorEdward Burns’ ninth feature film, Nice Guy Johnny, premieres nationally on October 26. The coming-of-age story chronicles a young man’s struggle with the decision to continue pursuing his dream job or abandon his passion in exchange for a higher-paying but more mundane career choice. As today’s college students prepare to graduate into an uncertain economy, Nice Guy Johnny speaks to the passion vs. profit dilemma many will face.

“Nice Guy Johnny was inspired by my own experiences deciding between an ultimate, uncertain dream gig or going for the more guaranteed payday,” said Burns. “My dream came true at a young age with the success of The Brothers McMullen. Fifteen years and eight of my own movies later, I have faced the question several times: do I continue making the types of art films that I love or do I accept any number of open directing assignments for major studio releases. While the latter means a lot of money, making my movies is my passion and that is the decision I have made.”

Nice Guy Johnny is a return to Burns’ filmmaking roots. Similar to The Brothers McMullen, the film was made for the astonishingly low budget of $25,000 and features relatively unknown, up-and-coming actors. Nice Guy Johnny premiered at Tribeca and centers on baby faced 23-year-old Johnny Rizzo, who is on the verge of trading in his dream job in sports radio for a position in corrugated paper sales that will pay enough to please his fiancé. Just weeks before Rizzo’s marriage, a trip to New York and a simple job interview turns into a life altering experience when Rizzo meets up with Uncle Terry, played by Burns. Uncle Terry, a rascally womanizer, is set on turning a day in the Hamptons with Brooke, a young attractive tennis instructor, and his nephew into an eye-opening, life changing experience.

“Following your dreams down an uncertain path is a tough and admirable decision,” said Matt Bush, who plays Johnny Rizzo in the film. “Nice Guy Johnny really spoke to me as I dealt with the same issues as I began my acting career. I hope this film will inspire college students and young adults to take the road less traveled.”

A master of the modern relationship dramedy, Edward Burns is once again in top form as a writer, director, and actor. His swaggering bartender Terry is the perfect foil to baby-faced Matt Bush’s (Adventureland) Johnny, and together they’re great at trading Burns’ characteristically sharp dialogue. More contrasts are mined with Anna Wood’s image-conscious Claire and Kerry Bishé’s (Scrubs) Brooke, a blonde-haired and bright-eyed free spirit. Burns wraps a summery tone around Johnny’s real crisis: follow through with your promises, or follow your heart?

NGJ’s Digital Distribution Marks the Future of Independent Film

Nice Guy Johnny will be distributed FilmBuff, an affiliate of Cinetic Media, via a unique digital platform strategy. On October 26, Nice Guy Johnny will be released simultaneously via iTunes movies, video on demand through cable providers across the country (check with your local cable operator), and digital retail sites such as Amazon.com. DVDs will be available for purchase online and at major retailers on that day as well. Burns recently announced a partnership with Comcast, the nation’s largest cable television provider, to launch the “Indie Film Club Network” on Comcast’s On Demand service, helping to make independent film content accessible to everyone and truly establishing himself as a pioneer in the independent film industry.

Burns is a vocal advocate on behalf of independent film and believes this new distribution mechanism mark the future for the category. “I receive thousands of emails from fans who want to see my movies and can’t because they don’t have an art house theater near them,” he said. “This new form of digital distribution enables my fans to see the film whenever they want simply through the push of a button on their remote or a mouse click on their PC. Digital technology revolutionized the music business several years ago and it is now about to do the same to independent film. I am very excited about the future.”

Burns, who is taking Nice Guy Johnny on a national film festival tour through the remainder of 2010, selected the simultaneous multiplatform distribution deal over a traditional theatrical release for a number of reasons including: greater artistic freedom, a more favorable economic model and an ability to very easily reach both new and traditional audiences for his films. In addition, this distribution mechanism enables Burns to instantly provide fans with a variety of bonus features, including outtakes, interviews with the cast, additional scenes, etc.

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About Edward Burns: Lauded by critics and audiences alike, Edward Burns gained international recognition for his first feature film The Brothers McMullen, which premiered in competition at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Grand Jury prize in addition to the “Best First Feature” at the 1996 Independent Spirit Awards. Burns continues to write, direct, star in and produce his films, including She’s the One, Sidewalks of New York and more recently Purple Violets, which was the first feature film to premiere exclusively on iTunes. As an actor, Burns starred in Saving Private Ryan, 15 Minutes, Confidence and 27 Dresses. His most recent film, Nice Guy Johnny is his 9th feature film as a writer, director and actor and premiered at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Burns has been involved with TFF since the festival’s inception in 2002 and Nice Guy Johnny was his 5th film in the festival. Trailers for Nice Guy Johnny are available on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/niceguyjohnnymovie

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (Oct. 19, 2010) – Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS), the world’s largest office products company, and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), today launched the 2nd Annual Global EcoEasy Challenge to find the world’s most ingenious concepts for environmentally preferable office products. The 2011 Challenge is open to all undergraduate and graduate student teams enrolled at universities located within 16 select countries.

Staples and RIT have made it easy for students to submit their ideas and become the next great inventor of an EcoEasy office product. Interested students need to simply submit a 1,000 word description of their unique idea for a new, more environmentally preferable design of an office product. Designs may use environmentally preferable material or present a new product promoting sustainability. Staples will invite up to eight finalist teams to Washington, D.C. in April, 2011, to present their product idea to a panel of judges. The judges will award the grand-prize winning team with $25,000 and two runners-up will receive $5,000 each.

“We were incredibly impressed with the level of creativity and talent displayed at the 2010 competition. The leading entries included concepts such as a desk chair that controlled office power consumption and a 100 percent recyclable writing instrument,” said Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs for Staples. “Staples is committed to creatively finding new ways to make environmentally preferable office products an everyday reality and encouraging students to consider the impact of a product’s design on the environment. This challenge allows us to celebrate environmentally preferable products as we reward students for their ideas and promote a new generation of products that are better for the environment.”

This year, for the first time, the public will be able to act as a judge and help determine the winning submission. Anyone can visit the site once a day from March 8, 2011, through March 22, 2011, to vote for their favorite EcoEasy office product at www.ecoeasychallenge.com.

“We are looking forward to working with Staples once again to raise awareness of the growing need and demand for sustainable products,” said Dr. Nabil Nasr, assistant provost and director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT. “The global interest surrounding this Challenge has grown and we are pleased to be able to welcome a more extensive group of creative and talented students from around the world to share their winning ideas.”

The contest is open to teams of up to four undergraduate or graduate students, 18 years or older, that are enrolled at universities based in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada (excluding Quebec), China, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States. Interested students can register for the contest at www.ecoeasychallenge.com. All teams must submit their final concepts no later than Dec. 23, 2010.

About Staples’ Environmental Commitment
Staples long-standing commitment to sustainable business practices is based on four key environmental cornerstones: recycling, offering a wide assortment of eco-preferable products, investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy and educating customers and associates about sustainability. Through its EcoEasy commitment, Staples makes it easy for customers to make a difference for the environment by offering more than 3,000 eco-preferable products and providing everyday, in-store recycling for computers, office technology, personal electronics and ink and toner cartridges. For more on Staples environmental initiatives, please visit www.staples.com/ecoeasy.

About Staples
Staples, the world’s largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services. Our broad selection of office supplies, electronics, technology and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and copying and printing, helps our customers run their offices efficiently. With 2009 sales of $24 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia serving businesses of all sizes and consumers. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today ranks second worldwide in e-commerce sales. The company is headquartered outside Boston. More information about Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com/media.

About the Golisano Institute for Sustainability
The Golisano Institute for Sustainability was formed in 2007 thanks to a $10 million gift from Paychex founder and Chairman B. Thomas Golisano. The institute currently houses one of the world’s first Ph.D. programs in sustainable production and is developing master’s degrees in sustainable systems and sustainable architecture. It also conducts cutting edge research in nanotechnology, alternative energy development and validation, sustainable design and pollution prevention and works with a host of businesses and state and federal agencies including Xerox Corp., Eastman Kodak Company, General Motors, Staples, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

NEW YORK (October 19, 2010) – Autism Speaks, North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization, recently re-launched the website for its Autism Speaks U initiative (www.autismspeaks.org/u), which engages college students across the country in autism awareness, advocacy and fundraising efforts. The new site features greater personalization and a wide range of tools to empower students to establish Autism Speaks U chapters, organize events, and encourage their peers to get involved.

The new Autism Speaks U site personalizes the way Autism Speaks is able to engage and interact with college volunteers. Each college student who registers on the site gets a customized set of fundraising tools and a profile similar to that on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. In addition, the site provides several tools to help students learn how to run successful events. Students on the site are able to create team-based fundraisers, ticketed events and awareness events. The new site offers a number of fundraising tools, including sample event ideas, e-mail templates and tips for fundraising and hosting events. There are also guides on how to start an Autism Speaks U chapter and for securing event sponsorships.

“College students are the future of this organization,” said Marc Sirkin, chief community officer for Autism Speaks. “We’re honored to be working with such talented and bright individuals who are so passionate about supporting the autism community. We hope to unite college communities across the nation into a single, powerful voice for the autism community.”

Launched in 2008, Autism Speaks U is an innovative and collaborative program for college students who want to raise funds and awareness for Autism Speaks, while supporting their local autism communities. Student-organized events take place both on and off campus and range from hosting a 5K run to organizing a benefit concert, to organizing a panel discussion about autism. While many of the students involved with Autism Speaks U have a personal connection to autism, others not directly affected have also joined the program to support the cause.

Since its inaugural event at Penn State University in 2006, Autism Speaks U events have raised close to $800,000 and student-organized Walk Now for Autism Speaks teams have brought in millions more. “Since creating Autism Speaks U’s first event at Penn State University, we remain committed to leading college students nationwide in the fight against autism,” said Adam Dorfman and Andrew Moses, co-founders of Autism Speaks U.

Autism Speaks U events and chapters exist at colleges and universities across the country, including: Penn State University, Stanford University, University of Michigan, Ohio State University, University of Connecticut, Duke University, California State University-Northridge, University of Maryland and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“We started an Autism Speaks U chapter this fall, and with over 150 members, we are one of the largest organizations on campus,” said Allison Drake, president and founder of the Autism Speaks U chapter at Saint Mary’s College of Indiana. “We’ve made a name for ourselves on campus and are collaborating with the University of Notre Dame as well as the local community. I can’t wait to see the foundation we will leave at Saint Mary’s once I graduate.”

“I set up a ticketed event on the Autism Speaks U website; it was incredibly easy and I raised over $500 online,” said Christopher Byrd, a student at Iowa State University. “More than 200 people attended the benefit concert and three native Iowa artists performed, including the popular folk singer William Elliott Whitmore.”

College students, faculty and alumni can get involved with Autism Speaks U by visiting www.autismspeaks.org/u.

About Autism
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioral challenges. Autism spectrum disorders are diagnosed in one in 110 children in the United States, affecting four times as many boys as girls. The prevalence of autism increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have called autism a national public health crisis whose cause and cure remain unknown.

About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. Since its inception in 2005, Autism Speaks has made enormous strides, committing over $142.5 million to research through 2014 and developing innovative new resources for families. The organization is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. In addition to funding research, Autism Speaks also supports the Autism Treatment Network, Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and several other scientific and clinical programs. Notable awareness initiatives include the establishment of the annual United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and an award-winning “Learn the Signs” campaign with the Ad Council which has received over $249 million in donated media. Autism Speaks’ family resources include the Au tism Video Glossary, a 100 Day Kit for newly-diagnosed families, a School Community Tool Kit and a community grant program. Autism Speaks has played a critical role in securing federal legislation to advance the government’s response to autism, and has successfully advocated for insurance reform to cover behavioral treatments. Each year Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in more than 80 cities across North America. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit www.autismspeaks.org.

About Autism Speaks Co-Founders
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Bob Wright is Senior Advisor at Lee Equity Partners, Chairman and CEO of the Palm Beach Civic Association and served as vice chairman, General Electric, and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal for more than twenty years. He also serves on the boards of the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, RAND Corporation and the New York Presbyterian Hospital. Suzanne Wright has an extensive history of active involvement in community and philanthropic endeavors, mostly directed toward helping children. She serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is also Trustee Emeritus of Sarah Lawrence College, her alma mater. Suzanne has received numerous awards such as the CHILD Magazine Children’s Champions Award, Luella Bennack Volunteer Award, Spirit of Achievement award by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s National Women’s Division and the Weizmann Institute of Science. In 2008, the Wrights were named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for their commitment to global autism advocacy.

Beta Site’s Powerful Technology Features Will Enable Students, Graduates and First-Time Job Seekers to Achieve Success throughout their careers

HOLLYWOOD, Florida (October 13, 2010) – ResumeSponge, www.resumesponge.com, has officially introduced a new social career platform designed to help college students, college graduates and first-time jobseekers build a professional online presence unlike the world has ever seen, help them engage in career focused opportunities, and achieve success throughout their careers.

Packed with a powerful package of advanced, proprietary features, ResumeSponge addresses significant shortfalls in today’s marketplace by allowing users to better showcase their talents, market their expertise and highlight their skills in a more compelling, effective way. While in beta, ResumeSponge currently supports Google Chrome, Safari and Mozilla Firefox with Internet Explorer support coming very soon.

Why ResumeSponge
With millions of college students, graduates and first time job seekers searching for entry-level jobs, it is extremely difficult to stand out in today’s crowded marketplace. ResumeSponge offers both students and recruiting professionals a one-stop solution that gives users more options on how they can network, communicate, collaborate and showcase themselves.

“ResumeSponge is a powerful, web-based platform filled with proprietary technology and advanced features that will give college students, graduates and first-time job seekers a whole new way to showcase themselves in today’s competitive job market. Unfortunately, most resumes are easily lost in the shuffle. ResumeSponge solves this problem by delivering a powerful set of advanced features that allow users to fully elaborate on their finest attributes and make a great first impression. We look forward to partnering with universities across the country to help their students better engage in career focused opportunities. In the next few weeks, we’re rolling out even more features so there’s much more to come,” said Solomon Engel, founder & CEO.

ResumeSponge has created powerful solutions that help users achieve success today, tomorrow and in all their future professional activities. As part of the beta preview, users can:

Build a professional online presence unlike any other. Today’s web sites don’t allow you to fully elaborate on your finest attributes and expertise to make a good first impression and stand out from the crowd. More importantly, profiles filled with in-line text alone just don’t tell the whole story and they aren’t very good at presenting the most of what you can offer. People Profile from ResumeSponge is packed with advanced technology integration, and lets users attach documents, videos, and photos, providing them with the ability to showcase more of their talents and professional work than on any other site today.

Market opportunities more effectively. ResumeSponge Jobs lets users discover, create, manage and engage on opportunities in a way that makes them more successful. It’s the best place to create jobs on the web. Users can describe their opportunities, then add relevant documents, videos and photos to put their opportunities center stage. With Jobs from ResumeSponge, users can attract top talent, and market their opportunities in ways that are not currently offered by any other single medium.

Communicate, Collaborate and share your professional work like never before. Today’s web mail systems are very basic, do not encourage collaborative group conversations, and provide no control over attachments once they’re sent. In addition, professional social networks typically charge a fee for usage of their very basic mail systems unless you’re directly in connection with the intended recipient.

ResumeSponge delivers SpongeMail, a highly advanced mail system taking the best of some very well known, industry systems and adds enhancements that specifically meet the needs of its users. With SpongeMail, people can easily share all types of files and content within interactive threaded messages. There is no need to download software or files; attachments are viewed within ResumeSponge’s vivid viewers, making for simple, secure and a great viewing experience. In addition, users have the ability to maintain control over their most valued attachments by restricting recipients’ ability to download, forward, print, or share them.

Take recommendations offline, and put them to use in the real world. Recommendations posted on professional social networking sites, as well as throughout the web, aren’t always taken as seriously when compared to original letters of recommendation. ResumeSponge takes the positives of what others think of you, and lets you put them to use in the real world. You can write a recommendation, sign it, and ResumeSponge certifies it. View your recommendations with a click, and then download them to take with you to job interviews or incorporate them in your portfolio.

Upload all your career, professional, and personal files in one secure place. Files from ResumeSponge allows you to upload all the most commonly used file types, including Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, and all major video and photo formats. You decide what you want others to see by displaying your files publicly, or keeping them private. Browse through your files with a flick of your mouse, and display them in ResumeSponge’s beautifully designed viewers. With no storage limitations, Files from ResumeSponge is the best place to store and manage all your professional work. And so much more

About ResumeSponge
ResumeSponge is a Social Career Platform built to help people achieve success throughout their career and employment initiatives. It is for anyone seeking an innovative way to market themselves, stand out in the crowded job marketplace, discover and create compelling opportunities, collaborate more effectively with colleagues, classmates, business professionals, and drive results. For more information, please visit www.ResumeSponge.com.

To learn more about ResumeSponge, check out our video on YouTube

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEElNNx4fjs]

Files: The best place on the web to store and showcase all your professional work

Jobs from ResumeSponge is the best place to market your opportunities

People Profile: Market yourself like never before and show the world your capabilities

Recommendations: Put them to use in the real world and show people what others think of you

Non-Credit Payment Options Can Help Students Manage Budgets and Navigate Through Today’s Tough Credit Landscape

HOUSTON (October 11, 2010) – For many college students, purchasing necessities like textbooks, food, gasoline and in some cases tuition was once as easy as swiping a credit card. Today, the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 has changed the financial landscape for many young people by limiting their opportunities to obtain credit. To help navigate this new reality, there are non-credit card payment options like the Shell Refillable Card, a pre-loaded and refillable payment card that makes it easier to plan and track gasoline and convenience store purchases.

Learning how to spend responsibly and minimize debt is a critical lesson for many young people. According to The Project on Student Debt, a non profit independent research and policy organization, even students graduating with the average level of education debt – about $21,000 – could be jeopardizing their long-term financial goals. That’s why it’s never too early to learn how to live on a budget and pay as you go by using non-credit tools like the Shell Refillable Card. For added convenience, the Shell Refillable Card can be pre-loaded and refilled over the phone or online, which makes it convenient for Mom or Dad to help out with expenses when needed, no matter how far away they may be.

“College is the perfect learning environment for students to educate themselves about basic budgeting. For many young people, the effects of the CARD Act can be an incentive to realistically look at their financial practices,” said Mark Theobald, U.S. Consumer Cards, Shell Oil Products U.S. “The Shell Refillable Card provides an alternative for students and parents to easily track and budget how much money they want to spend on everyday purchases like gasoline, food and drinks and car washes.”

In addition to using the Shell Refillable Card, Shell has some additional money-saving tips students can use to help make their college experience memorable more for the journey instead of the bills.

Java Fix: If you find you’re spending too much money on that morning (or late night) “cup of joe,” consider making a pot of coffee in your room. Monitor how much you spend on coffee each week — once you realize how much money has actually gone through your hands, you’ll be less likely to spend so much each week on that java fix.

“Pool” Your Resources: You finally got to take your car to school and you love having the freedom to explore your college town — until your gasoline needle hits “Empty”. Carpool with a group of friends to share the cost of road trips, including travelling to away football games and trips home. Additional tip: Use the Shell Refillable Card to budget each trip and split the costs among friends!

“Check In”: Use location-based mobile applications to “check in” to your favorite places. Some location-based applications provide loyal customers with discounts and deals when they walk in or purchase products. So if you insist on having that morning cup of coffee or late- night snack, make sure your favorite places offer deals and discounts for checking in.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew: In this case, don’t borrow more than you can afford. Sit down with your parents to consider your long-term goals and plan for borrowing only what you can afford, taking into account long-term monthly payments. Research student loans and grants among well-respected resources and institutions like Kiplinger’s or Sallie Mae to find out what works for you.

Remember to look for ways to make your money work for you. The Shell Family of Cards includes a variety of credit and non-credit options that address the diverse financial needs of today’s students. Students can go online to apply at www.shell.us/cards or pick up an application at one of the 14,000 Shell stations located coast to coast.

Shell Oil Products US, a subsidiary of Shell Oil Company, is a leader in the refining, transportation and marketing of fuels, and has a network of approximately 6,100 branded gasoline stations in the Western United States. Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Shell Group [(NYSE:RDS.A) and (NYSE:RDS.B)]. Shell Oil Company is a 50 percent owner of Motiva Enterprises LLC, along with Saudi Refining, Inc. Motiva Enterprises LLC refines and markets branded products through more than 8,300 Shell-branded stations in the Eastern and Southern United States.

Royal Dutch Shell plc is incorporated in England and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Shell companies have operations in more than 100 countries with businesses including oil and gas exploration and production; production and marketing of Liquefied Natural Gas and Gas to Liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals and renewable energy projects including wind and solar power. For further information, visit www.shell.com.

Cautionary Note The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release “Shell”, “Shell group” and “Royal Dutch Shell” are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. “Subsidiaries”, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this press release refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as “associated companies” or “associates” and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as “jointly controlled entities.” In this press release, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as “equity-accounted investments.” The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect (for example, through our 34% shareholding in Woodside Petroleum Ltd.) ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “objectives”, “outlook”, “probably”, “project”, “will”, “seek”, “target”, “risks”, “goals”, “should” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Group’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell’s 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These factors also should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, October 12, 2010. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. We use certain terms in this press release that SEC’s guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

Free online resource offers advice on how students and parents can help defray college costs with available scholarships that total over $3.4 billion

MAYNARD, Mass., October 7, 2010 – On October 9, millions of students nationwide will be taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and gunning for a perfect score. Although students are focused on earning a high test score, many parents and students overlook how they will actually pay for school. To help make college dreams become a reality, Fastweb, owned by Monster Worldwide, Inc., parent company of Monster.com®, the leading job matching engine (NYSE: MWW), currently lists more than 1.5 million scholarships totaling over $3.4 billion.

“Many students naturally stress about having a winning strategy to help them score well on their SATs but often lack a winning financial strategy to help pay for college,” said Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Fastweb and nationally recognized expert on student financial aid and paying for college. “Especially in today’s economy, students and parents need to be educated about what scholarship and financial aid information is available to them and how to take advantage of these programs. Students often miss untapped financial aid resources because they are not aware of what’s out there, such as the more than 1.5 million scholarships currently listed on Fastweb.”

As a leading website for scholarship and financial aid information, one in three college-bound seniors visits Fastweb looking for financial assistance for school. Mark Kantrowitz of Fastweb offers the following tips for students and parents to help them navigate through available scholarships and financially prepare to pay for the school they studied hard to get accepted into:

•Save for college using a 529 college savings plan. This is a tax-advantaged way of saving for college with a minimal impact on eligibility for need-based financial aid. Use the age-based asset allocation scheme to help minimize the risk of stock market losses. You can invest in any state’s plan.

•Borrow money from the government. Apply for federal student aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov. It is the first step in receiving grants and other student aid from the federal and state government and the colleges themselves. Students can also search for scholarships at free web sites like Fastweb.com. Every dollar you win in scholarships is a dollar less you have to borrow.

•Take summer classes. Students can take a few classes in the summer at a local community college to help them finish quicker at lower cost. (But make sure the credits will transfer first!) Or double-major to get two degrees for the price of one.

•A part-time job can help. Even if the student does not get a federal work-study job, there are plenty of part-time jobs available on or near campus. Resources such as Fastweb also compile regional job and internship information for students.

•Shop/sell textbooks online. Save on textbooks by shopping online (the textbook’s ISBN number will be listed in the class syllabus), buying used textbooks or by selling the book back to the bookstore at the end of the semester.

•Minimize debt. Before spending student loan money to buy something, ask yourself if you would still buy it at twice the cost. Because every dollar in student loan money will cost you about two dollars by the time you pay back the loans.

•Live at home. Students should consider living at home while they are in college, if possible, to drastically save on food and housing costs. Live like a student while you are in school so you don’t have to live like a student after you graduate.

•Tax credits can add up. Look into the various tax credits available. For instance, the Hope Scholarship tax credit provides a tax credit for low and middle income families for up to $2,500 based on amounts paid for tuition, fees and textbook expenses. The student loan interest deduction lets you deduct up to $2,500 in interest on federal and private student loans each year as an above-the-line exclusion from income. You can take this deduction even if you don’t itemize.

Since its launch in 1995, Fastweb has benefited more than 50 million users looking for a way to pay for college*. Free for all students, Fastweb offers personalized scholarship matches, internship and entry-level job opportunities, and financial aid advice at one convenient, online location. Launched as the first free scholarship matching site, Fastweb has grown from servicing 270 students on its site to assisting over 50 million members with expert financial aid advice.

About Monster Worldwide
Monster Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: MWW), parent company of Monster, the premier global online employment solution for more than a decade, strives to inspire people to improve their lives. With a local presence in key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia, Monster works for everyone by connecting employers with quality job seekers at all levels and by providing personalized career advice to consumers globally. Through online media sites and services, Monster delivers vast, highly targeted audiences to advertisers. Monster Worldwide is a member of the S&P 500 index. To learn more about Monster’s industry-leading products and services, visit www.monster.com. More information about Monster Worldwide is available at www.about-monster.com.

About Fastweb
Fastweb is the nation’s recognized leader in helping students pay for school, by providing scholarship and financial aid information, as well as information on jobs and internships. One out of three college-bound seniors use the site, and more than 50 million* members have benefited from Fastweb’s information and services. Fastweb lets students create a personalized profile that can be matched against its expansive databases of colleges and scholarships. As the oldest and most popular free online scholarship matching service, the database has more than 1.5 million scholarships totaling over $3.4 billion.

WELLESLEY, Mass. (October 6, 2010) – In observance of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Screening for Mental Health released data revealing that 18 to 25 year olds are 17% more likely to be depressed now than five years ago. This information, which compared online screening data from 2005 to data from 2010, comes on the heels of a report released last week from the Centers for Disease Control stating that 1 in 10 Americans are depressed‎. However despite rising rates of depression, particularly among college students, a 2009 Associated Press poll revealed that the majority of depressed college students did not intend to speak with a mental health professional about their problems.

The prevalence of depression and related symptoms among college students is cause for concern, particularly in light of the fact that the risk of suicide in people with major depression is about 20 times that of the general population. While recent media coverage of young adult suicide has brought this issue to national attention, suicide has been a growing issue on college campuses, ranking as the second leading cause of death of college students. An estimated 1,100 college students take their own lives each year; an alarming figure for parents, educators, and young adults alike. However, suicide remains widely misunderstood.

“There is this myth that people who talk about suicide don’t do it. In fact, we know that 70% of people who die by suicide have let someone know their intention but that person often does not know what to do,” says Douglas G. Jacobs, M.D., founder of Screening for Mental Health. “While not all depressed people have thoughts of suicide. People who are suicidal usually are depressed. The goal of screening is to identify depression early on, when it is easier to treat, thus averting the tragedy of suicide.”

Treatment for depression and other mood disorders is effective more than 80% of the time, and is crucial to the reduction of suicide. However, according to a survey of college counseling centers, 81% of the students who died by suicide last year had never been clients of their school’s counseling center. For this reason, it is important for peers and educators to be on the lookout for warning signs of suicide, and direct anyone that they think may be depressed or suicidal to the appropriate resources.

Warning signs of suicide:

Anyone who observes or experiences the following behaviors and feelings should seek help by contacting a mental health professional or calling 1-800-273-TALK for a referral:

• Hopelessness
• Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
• Feeling trapped—like there’s no way out
• Increased alcohol or drug use
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
• Anxiety, agitation, inability to sleep or sleeping all the time
• Dramatic mood changes
• No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life

People who observe any of the following behaviors should dial 9-1-1 or seek immediate help from a mental health provider:

• Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking about wanting to hurt or kill him/herself
• Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
• Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person

On Thursday, October 7th, more than 500 colleges nationwide will participate in National Depression Screening Day, giving students access to free, anonymous in-person screening events or the opportunity to take an online screening at www.HelpYourselfHelpOthers.org

About Screening for Mental Health
Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH) is dedicated to promoting the improvement of mental health by providing the public with education, screening, and treatment resources. SMH pioneered the concept of large-scale mental health screening and education programs in 1991, with its flagship program, National Depression Screening Day (NDSD). SMH programs—provided both in-person and online—educate, raise awareness, and screen individuals for depression, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, alcohol use disorders, and suicide.

WASHINGTON - College students are reminded that they have until October 24 to participate in a video contest in which they have a chance to win up to $3,000 in scholarship prizes by creating short film or animation clips that demonstrate the everyday, practical ways that garbage men and women help keep communities healthy and clean, protect the environment and conserve resources in their communities.

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The contest, sponsored by the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA), asks students to create films or animations of up to five minutes or less and upload the clips to YouTube via NSWMA’s contest entry page (www.environmentalistseveryday.org/youtube-contest). The page also includes information about eligibility, contest rules and directions for uploading videos, including a list of suggestions for themes.

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To be considered, video submissions must be uploaded by midnight on October 24. The top videos or animations will then be selected by a panel of judges. Following selection of the finalists, voting will be open to the public to select a winner.

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Winners will be announced in early December. The creator of the video that receives the most votes from the public will receive a $3,000 cash scholarship. The second and third place winners will receive $2,000 and $1,000 cash scholarships respectively.

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The National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) is based in Washington, D.C. and represents the solid waste industry in the U.S., including firms that collect, process, recycle, extract renewable fuel and dispose of municipal solid waste.

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“We look forward to the creativity and thoughtfulness that students will demonstrate with their videos. Whether serious or humorous in tone, it will be exciting to observe how they view the role of solid waste management in their communities,” said Bruce J. Parker, president and CEO of NSWMA.

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NSWMA – a sub-association of the Environmental Industry Associations – represents for-profit companies in North America that provide solid, hazardous and medical waste collection, recycling and disposal services, and companies that provide professional and consulting services to the waste services industry. NSWMA members conduct business in all 50 states.